X fails to start with x11-driver-video-vmware-13.4.0-2.mga10

[svzrd]

Hi all,
I just installed cauldron on VirtualBox using netinstall iso and installed plasma desktop. When I tried to login, screen would just go blank. Trying to login with tty would show 'startx' crashing. The Xorg.0.log is overwritten and hence I cannot paste the log but the error read something like

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"failed to load module ..vmware_drv.so: undefined symbol: vboxHWGetIndex"

After searching online I found it was issue with the vmware driver package and downgrading fixed the isssue. Later an update to (their version of) the package was released. On cauldron, the package is `x11-driver-video-vmware-13.4.0-2.mga10`. There is no lower version to this so I downgraded by installing version released for Mageia 9 (`x11-driver-video-vmware-13.4.0-1.mga9`) and that fixed the issue (I'm writing from cauldron install).

I'm writing for two reasons:
1) I am new here and do not know where to fix the issue. Also, I would like to confirm if others face the same issue or not.
2) How, can I mask the package? The upgrade manager keeps asking to upgrade the package to the version that is causing the issue.

Thanks,
SV

[doktor5000]

Hi there, you mentioned Virtualbox but refer to a package for vmware? For virtualbox the affected package should be x11-driver-video-vboxvideo

For your questions:
1) if it works after the downgrade, you should report that as a bug so it might get fixed in a newer package, see https://wiki.mageia.org/en/How_to_report_a_bug_properly
2) depending on what package manager you use, for urpmi you can add the package to /etc/urpmi/skip.list
and for dnf you'd need to versionlock it with

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dnf versionlock x11-driver-video-vmware

[svzrd]

Hi there, you mentioned Virtualbox but refer to a package for vmware? For virtualbox the affected package should be x11-driver-video-vboxvideo

I would also think so. But I have `x11-driver-video-vboxvideo` installed. The problem still persisted. I am not sure but may be it has to do with 'VMSVGA' being the recommended graphics controller for VirtualBox. If we choose 'VBoxVGA' or 'VBoxSVGA' in the 'Graphics Controller' setting, it gives error like unsupported configuration or something.

For your questions:
1) if it works after the downgrade, you should report that as a bug so it might get fixed in a newer package, see https://wiki.mageia.org/en/How_to_report_a_bug_properly

Thank you. I have raised a bug report, https://bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=34524

2) depending on what package manager you use, for urpmi you can add the package to /etc/urpmi/skip.list
and for dnf you'd need to versionlock it with

Code: Select all

dnf versionlock x11-driver-video-vmware

Thank you so much. I'll probably need this as I learn to use cauldron.

[doktor5000]

I would also think so. But I have `x11-driver-video-vboxvideo` installed. The problem still persisted. I am not sure but may be it has to do with 'VMSVGA' being the recommended graphics controller for VirtualBox. If we choose 'VBoxVGA' or 'VBoxSVGA' in the 'Graphics Controller' setting, it gives error like unsupported configuration or something.

Ahhh yeah, forgot about VMSVGA as graphics controller.

Bug reports looks fine, maybe x11-driver-video-vmware just needs a rebuild, which can often happen in cauldron after updates.

[svzrd]

You got me thinking, so I tested further. Below are my observations.

1) Uninstalled `x11-driver-video-vmware` (this also removed `x11-driver-video` which it says is a metapackage).
- Rebooted the system and... to my surprise, graphical session worked fine, with VMSVGA as graphics controller! I was able to login to both x11 and wayland sessions.
- Changed graphics controller to VBoxSVGA and powered up. Works fine.
- Changed graphics controller to VBoxVGA. Works fine.

2) Installed back the `x11-driver-video-vmware` driver (and also the metapackage)
- With VBoxVGA, graphical session works.
- With VBoxSVGA, graphical session works.
- With VMSVGA, graphical session fails, with Xorg log showing the error mentioned in my earlier post.

3) Downgraded `x11-driver-video-vmware` driver
- With VBoxVGA, graphical session works.
- With VBoxSVGA, graphical session works.
- With VMSVGA, graphical session works.

So, the issue is only with the combination of VMSVGA controller and vmware driver; without `x11-driver-video-vmware` installed, graphical session works even with VMSVGA controller. Seems it fallsback to next best driver available (?!). With the vmware driver installed, however, the current driver fails to boot into graphical session.

The thing is, this driver is part of the `x11-driver-video` metapackage and hence will be installed. So, it is still a bug (although may be not critical). I'll wait for the package update as you mentioned.

Thank you.